Description
Hops ‘Cascade’ – Humulus lupulus. 3.7L coir pot.
This fast growing, deciduous perennial climber is popular with home brewers.
The strobiles (female flowers) are used to make beer (American Pale Ales in particular). They add a bitter flavour and are a preservative against bacteria in the fermentation process.
The flowers usually start appearing in mid summer, and are ready to harvest when they have a dry, paper-like texture and start to go brown.
Hops are often grown up string lines. Many growers choose the three strongest shoots and train them anticlockwise up the string.
The plant responds well to high nitrogen fertilisers.
Hops die down to the ground during winter. The underground rhizome stays dormant over winter until the temperatures increase in spring, when new growth appears.
Hops enjoy a full sun to part shade position, and should grow about 5m high by 2m wide.